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Raymond Whitrod interviewed by Mel Pratt for the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
Bib ID 2244408
Format AudioAudio, OnlineOnline [sound recording]
Author
Whitrod, Ray, 1915-2003, Interviewee
 
Online Versions
Access Conditions Access open for research, personal copies and public use. 
Description 1977 
2 sound tape reels (ca. 270 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips., full track, mono. ; 5 in. 
Series

Mel Pratt collection.

Summary

Raymond Whitrod, Queensland Police Commissioner, 1970-1976, speaks of his early life; being a cadet in the South Australian Police Force; detective work in Adelaide; enlistment in the Air Force; trip to England on the Mariposa; Catalina Squadron; being a navigation instructor at Sale; Qantas; Gibraltar; difficulties adjusting to civilian life; ASIO; Commonwealth Investigation Service; Reed; MI5; ASIO and State police forces; royal visit 1954; Petrov Comission; Commonwealth Police Force; Peace Officer Guard; security scares; William Slim; crank index; demonstrations; President Johnson; Cambridge; wine at Churchill College; Queen's Gold Medal Essay; Queen's Police Medal; Papua New Guinea; Bougainville; David Hay; native policemen in PNG; Pius Kerepeia; appointment to Queensland Police Force; Masonic group vs Catholic group; Brigadier McKinna; industrial problems; standard of police recruits in Queensland; attitude of the Union to administration; weekly newsletter; links with policemen especially in the outback.

Whitrod speaks of Max Hodges; Springbok demonstrations; Queenslander of the Year award; Police Academy; Aboriginals; Bjelke-Petersen; influence of the union executive; promotion on merit; Americans in Queensland; women police officers; marriage within the police force; innovations to the Force; staff reporting system; aircraft; uniform; discipline; 'rat pack'; University of Queensland demonstration; Cedar Bay raid; Andrew Olley; opposition to inquiry by the Premier; education of policemen; Newbury; Terry Lewis; resignation; Bjelke-Petersen as Premier.

Biography/History

Ray Whitrod, born April 15, 1915 in Adelaide, entered the South Australian police force in 1934 and later studied criminology in Australia and overseas. He held positions as Assistant Director, ASIO (1949-1953) and Commissioner of Commonwealth Police (1960-69) then Commissioner of Queensland Police (1970-1976) in a career over a period of 42 years marked with extensive academic studies and achievements. After his resignation as Commissioner of Queensland Police in 1976 he became a visiting fellow of the Australian National University tutoring in sociology and law.

Notes

Recorded from Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & 17 at the Australian National University, Canberra, ACT.

Also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-214922892

Index/Finding Aid Note Timed summary (12 p.) and transcript (93 leaves) 
Subjects Whitrod, Ray, 1915-2003 -- Interviews.  |  Queensland. Office of Commissioner of Police.  |  Australia. Office of Commissioner of Police.  |  Police -- Australia -- Interviews.
Other authors/contributors Pratt, Mel, -1986, Interviewer

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Details Collect From
ORAL TRC 121/89 Special Collections Reading Room
ORAL TRC 121/89 (transcript)
Copy: Transcript
Special Collections Reading Room
ORAL TRC 121/89 (summary)
Copy: Summary
Special Collections Reading Room

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